Trevor Ernt, shown in a game earlier this season, had a strong outing on Saturday for Beckman (Photos: Rosalene Ledendecker, For OC Sports Zone)
Beckman’s baseball team, the defending Pacific Coast League champion, opens league play Friday hosting Portola at 3 p.m.
To see the slide show, please click on the first photo
The Patriots enter the game with a 5-2 overall record. Portola is off to a 3-2 start in its first varsity season.
Beckman finished tournament play Saturday in the Chino Hills Brian Hamilton Tournament with a 4-0 victory over Rancho Cucamonga behind a strong pitching performance by Trevor Ernt.
Ernt went the distance and allowed just four hits while striking out five. Jakob Ho had two hits and RBI and Jakob Guardado one RBI for Beckman, which scored two runs in the first inning to move ahead early.
“Rancho Cucamonga is a very good team with a lot of talented players, and we played our best game of the year,” said Beckman Coach Kevin Lavalle.
“Every team in Southern California is going through some growing pains right now, and we are no exception. Every team and every player wants to start hot, but it’s simply too difficult of a sport to expect everyone to be clicking in Mid-February.
“On Saturday we came out with an aggressive but under control attitude, and the results were pretty close to what we wanted to see. It left me with a great feeling of promise heading into league play.”
Lavalle was pleased with Ernt’s performance on the mound but said other players stepped up Saturday too.
“Trevor Ernt was great again on the mound, and multiple players had great games, but Jakob Ho and Jakob Guardado really stood out,” he said. ” They delivered hits when we needed them, and that’s what you remember when you look back on a game. But it was a true team effort, and that’s what I’m most proud of.”
Beckman is expected to be the favorite to repeat as Pacific Coast League champions. But Lavalle said he expects a battle.
Irvine has also started fast with a 5-1 record and won its division in the Newport Elks Tournament Friday. (Please click here to see that story).
“I think the Pacific Coast League is wide open this year,” Lavalle said. “Irvine and Woodbridge are playing great baseball. Portola is winning games, Northwood will be well coached as always, and University is playing exciting baseball. This early in the year, everyone does a little scouting, but you never really know until you see them across the field.
“We’re excited about getting after it, but in truth there is no talk about defending any title. The 2019 team is brand new. Sure, some guys have experienced winning it last year, but that experience doesn’t get us anything if we’re not hungry. We have to play like we have nothing to lose and something prove, and I feel like we will.”
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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